2. misc-audio
  3. 159379-115924

Shipping. Hard Lesson.

I'm selling some high end audio gear for the estate of a relative who passed away. I've never done this before. I'm using C's List, eBay and A'gon. It has been a lot of work and not a lot of fun.

Tons of scammers on C's list but excellent experience selling to a local audiophile.

Got a sale pending here at A'gon. Not too bad.

One good experience on eBay.

But then the Bryston 9B SST2 amp sold on eBay. I had actually about decided to purchase it myself when it sold via eBay. Super nice, experienced buyer.

Took the amp to UPS. It weighs 65 pounds. Asked them to double box and was ready to pay the price but the clerk convinced me that there was no need. They would wrap it well and the box she chose was supposed to handle 85 pounds.

Well, it gets to the buyer and he sends me a picture and it looks like the box has rolled down a mountain. The handles are broken off of the amp and it is dinged all up. Have no idea if it works or not. I'm not sure double boxing would have mattered in this case.

We insured it for the price paid. Buyer was very understanding but disappointed of course. I will get paid (by UPS) what I was going to get paid anyway but both the buyer and I commiserated over a fine piece of equipment destroyed. Or at least marred.

Anyway, sorry about the long sad sop story but I will probably have other gear to ship in the near future possible even the gorgeous Aerial Acoustics 5Ts which, even thought they are bookshelf speakers, are large and heavy.

So all of this is basically to ask: Who do you use for shipping large heavy delicate audio gear?
n80
n80 OP
2,133 posts
 
Update: UPS is giving us the run around. They filed the claim on Aug 14. They have the damaged amp back in the local UPS store. They said we'd have a decision and a check within 10 days. We checked back several times after the 10 day mark and were told that they were waiting for the higher-ups to make a decision. Today (17 days after the claim was filed) they are saying the same thing and will not give us contact information for anyone above the local store.

I have not called an attorney yet and don't want to do so. In the end it will probably cost me money to do it. But something clearly needs to be done.

Does anyone know if this sort of thing can be handled in small claims court?
Ag insider logo xs@2x
cleeds
6,011 posts
 
n80
Update: UPS is giving us the run around. They filed the claim on Aug 14. They have the damaged amp back in the local UPS store. They said we’d have a decision and a check within 10 days. We checked back several times after the 10 day mark and were told that they were waiting for the higher-ups to make a decision. Today (17 days after the claim was filed) they are saying the same thing ... Does anyone know if this sort of thing can be handled in small claims court?
Yes, it most certainly can. Small claims courts (they go by other names in some states) usually have a limit for damages - it’s $3,000 where I live. With proper documentation and preparation, I have found small claims court to be an excellent avenue for resolution; I’ve successfully relied on it several times over the years.
djones51
4,947 posts
 
Read your contract you might have agreed to arbitration. 
n80 OP
2,133 posts
 
I have heard that that might be true. Right now I’m not sure how long I have to wait to do even that. 
As a reminder, this was not my amp. I am selling this gear for my wife’s aunt, a widow whose only child passed away. It was his gear.  This money is for her. So l’m not out anything no matter how this plays out. 
Right now it has become a matter of principle to me. The whole thing is UPS’s fault and in my opinion they are behaving shamefully. 
Ag insider logo xs@2x
cleeds
6,011 posts
 
djones51
Read your contract you might have agreed to arbitration.
Good point. Please note that in many states, mandatory arbitration doesn't apply if you're willing to pursue resolution through small claims court.
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